Air traffic controllers 'need breaks'

The Civil Aviation Authority has defended its requirement that air-traffic controllers nationwide take meal breaks at the same time, saying that the ruling was in the interest of public safety.

The CAA's requirement was part of the reason Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson this week announced she would amend legislation introduced by the Labour Government last year requiring sole-charge employees - including some air-traffic controllers - to take mandatory meal breaks.

Ms Wilkinson said the meal breaks could lead to as many as nine flights each week to be cancelled.

Airline Pilots Association chief executive Rick Mirkin said yesterday the meal breaks would not have had any real disruptive effect until the CAA ordered airport traffic controllers around the country to take their breaks at the same time.

The complexities involved in having different break times for different workers across all airports would increase the risk of mistakes being made by air traffic controllers, CAA spokesman Bill Sommer said.

"Because of the need to try and reduce the chances of any errors being made, we should take the simplistic approach and close (the aerodromes) at the same time."

It was up the airports to close while air traffic controllers took their breaks.

The CAA's main concern was reducing the potential risk of mistakes being made.

Simplifying the breaks system across the country was the best way to do it, Mr Sommer said.

"Our interest is only in the safety of the public."

- NZPA